The Persecuted Church

About this plan

Many churches pray for believers who suffer for their faith on the second Sunday of November, and this plan gives the week from that day a shape in Scripture. It reads about people who were threatened, jailed and killed for following God, and what they prayed, said and were given.

On Sunday the apostles are threatened in Acts 4 and pray for boldness. On Monday Stephen is stoned in Acts 7, forgiving those who kill him, and Tuesday’s Daniel 3 and 6 are the furnace and the lions, where faithful exiles refuse to bow. Wednesday is Peter freed from prison in Acts 12 while the church prays. On Thursday, in 2 Corinthians 11 and 12, Paul lists his beatings and shipwrecks and hears that grace is enough. Friday’s Matthew 10 holds Jesus’ warning and his promise, and the week ends with Paul in prison in Philippians 1.

As you read, pray for Christians who are suffering today, and for those who persecute them.

What you’ll read

• Boldness under threatSundayActs 4, Psalm 2
• Stephen forgivesMondayActs 7
• The furnace and the lionsTuesdayDaniel 3, Daniel 6
• Peter freed while the church praysWednesdayActs 12, Psalm 142
• My grace is enoughThursday2 Corinthians 11–12

14 chapters · 6 books · every November

This plan follows the church year: it begins on the second Sunday of November, when many churches pray for believers who suffer for their faith, and runs for seven days.